Why Choose Border Real Estate?
WA Owned and Operated
Border Real Estate is a local independent Real Estate Agency, owned and operated in Western Australia.
Experience Counts
Why risk your most expensive investment with inexperienced or out of area agents?
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Our Property Managers have more than 15 years experience each AND at the same real estate agency.
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We track the market closely so we can always give honest and realistic advice on the local rental market and expected yields.
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We believe Property Management is more than coordinating tenancies and rental payments — it’s about helping you achieve your financial goals.
It's A Difficult Rental Market
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We book home opens and private viewings often after hours and on weekends maximizing opportunities for all prospective tenants to view your property.
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We carefully check and contact references for ALL rental applicants including national tenancy databases, but you will always be offered the final say in selection.
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We will discuss with you how to ensure your property is comparable on the rental market to ensure minimum vacancy.
We understand and care about our work and we care about your investment. Allan Rowland, has almost 20 years Real Estate experience and also works closely with the Property Managers and the Landlords to help achieve the best outcome and returns. Give us a call for a friendly, no obligation chat on 9452 9000 or 0439516399 or email rentals@borderwa.com.au
Pets in Rentals - New Laws
Asking permission for a pet at the start of a tenancy
Tenants and landlords can agree to the keeping of a pet at the start of the lease. Details about the pet and any conditions should be set out in the tenancy agreement.
During a tenancy
The tenant must ask for permission to keep a pet during the tenancy using the Form 25 (Pet Request Form). Tenants will need to:
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complete the tenant section of the pet request form
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give the form to their landlord
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keep a copy for their records
The landlord has 14 days, starting the day after they receive the form, to:
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make a decision and let the tenant know and
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apply for Commissioner approval to refuse if needed.
If a landlord wants to set any special conditions, they need to get Commissioner approval. Conditions only apply if they are approved.
If the landlord does not respond at all, the tenant can keep the pet. More information about timing is available on counting days.
When a landlord can say no to a pet
No commissioner approval needed:
A landlord can refuse a pet if keeping the pet would break a law or strata rule.
Commissioner approval needed:
Landlords can apply to refuse a pet for other reasons, such as:
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the premises are unsuitable eg. lack of fencing
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too many pets already at the home
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possible damage caused by the pet may cost more than the bond to fix
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keeping the pet would cause unacceptable risk to health or safety
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keeping the pet is likely to cause undue hardship to the landlord
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the pet is a dangerous dog under the Dog Act 1976
Setting conditions for keeping a pet
No commissioner approval needed:
Landlords can set the following conditions without Commissioner approval:
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limiting the number of animals at the home e.g. no more than two pets
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cleaning, maintenance and fumigation e.g. carpets must be professionally cleaned every twelve months and at the end of tenancy.
Commissioner approval needed:
If the landlord wants to add any other conditions, they must be approved by the Commissioner, such as:
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a pet must stay outside
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a bird must be kept in a cage
Tenant responsibilities for keeping a pet
Tenants must:
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clean up any mess made by the pet inside and outside the home
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be responsible for any nuisance e.g. excessive dog barking
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fix any damage caused by the pet e.g. cat clawing curtains.
Pet bonds
The most a pet bond can be is $260, no matter how many pets a tenant has.
The pet bond can only be used for pest control (fumigation). In 2025 this will expand to cover damage caused by pets.
The security bond can also be used to cover cost of cleaning and damage caused by a pet.
Pet bonds must be lodged with the Bond Administrator.
People with assistance dogs must not be charged a pet bond.
Pets in strata complexes
Pet requests for rental homes that fall under the Strata Titles Act and have by-laws prohibiting pets are automatically refused under section 50D (a) of the RT Act. Similarly, if they require the Council of Owners (COO) approval, the landlord/property manager can refuse under 50D(a).
Landlord Insurance - is it needed?
Q-Why do I need landlord insurance if I have an agent?
A-We at no time can guarantee your tenant’s performance at your property. The risk belongs to the owner of the property, and therefore the owner should be insured for such a risk.
Q-Why do I need landlord insurance if I have a good tenant?
A-Even a good tenancy can turn bad. If the tenant’s circumstances change due to relationship breakdown or job loss sometimes the tenancy will become unstable. This can result in rent owing and the property not maintained. It pays to be properly insured, even with a good tenant.
Q-What does landlord insurance cover?
A-Landlord insurance will generally cover rent loss due to tenant default and malicious damage to the property caused by the tenant. Some policies cover further losses. It is important for you to know what your landlord insurance policy will and won’t cover. Please consult with your landlord insurer so that you are fully aware of the extent of your cover and also any excesses that may be applicable in the event of a claim.
Tenancy Debt Recovery
Q-If my Landlord Insurance doesn't cover all the tenant debts how can I recover it?
A-We recommend use of a debt collection agency. Barclay MIS Protect & Collect for a yearly fee of $66 will offer debt recovery, in addition to loss of rent, for items not normally covered by Landlord Insurance including but not limited to cleaning, rubbish removal, gardening, animal damage.
How to Maximise Rental Returns
How can you help obtain a higher return on your Rental Property?
Having the property presented in the best manner possible will usually attract higher rent. However in the current rental market it may be that the presentation of a property will be the deciding factor when a tenant has many properties to choose from which all have similar attributes.
We will strive to get you the maximum rent possible; however we must keep in mind setting the correct market rent to get your property rented as soon as possible.
Below are some factors we consider when marketing your property.
1. Demand- Is there a high or low demand for properties at present. This can be seasonal and affected by a number of factors.
2. What is available now- We look at properties currently available for rent on the internet and consider their location and features for comparison to calculate a maximum rent for your property.
3. What we have rented now- We compare your property with what we have currently rented taking into account property locations and features.
Also air conditioning and heating are a big draw card when tenants are choosing where they want to live. Include lawn mowing and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing your lawns are being looked after all year round and not just when the 3 monthly inspection is due!!